Genetic and evolutionary toxicology 4304

Forkunnskaper

Bachelor degree in environmental sciences.

Læringsmål

The course objective is to introduce students to principles of genetic toxicology in general and to especially concentrate on the solution of problems and on methods relevant to the natural environment (ecogenotoxicology). In particular, to introduce students to the methods of genotoxicology which determine the direct effects of environvental contamination at the molecular level of individuals, and to the methods of evolutionary toxicology, which addresses the emergent effect at the level of population, such as the loss of genetic diversity.
The methods may be applied by students in their research work on master thesis.

Organisering

The course will be held in English.
The course include 60 hours lectures, seminars, laboratory work, group project.

Innhold

Special attention in the course will focus on:

• Distribution of genotoxic substances in the environment
• Basic principles ecogenotoxicology
• Basic principles of general genetic toxicology
• Basic principles of evolutionary toxicology
• Chromosomal aberration
• DNA adducts
• DNA breaks
• Induction of metabolic enzymes
• Biomarkers for genotoxic effects
• Use of methods for study genotoxic effects in laboratory and in field.
• Methods of assessing variation in genetic diversity (DNA sequence diversity) at the population level.

Vurderingsformer

The evaluation will be based on written exams and group project where the students have to perform research on a selected problem using methods of genetic toxicology. Report of a group project should be submitted in a written form and evaluated.